TWELVE months after steering Bedworth United into the top flight of the Southern League, Steve Farmer is planning for life after relegation.

Although the return trip to Division One won’t be officially confirmed until after tomorrow’s final home game against AFC Totton, even the eternally enthusiastic Farmer admits that they can’t contrive the 24-goal turnaround required to climb above Bideford.

But he is looking for a repeat of Tuesday night’s 2-1 win against play-off contenders Arlesey Town to send them into the summer on a positive note.

“I was delighted with the performance – three thoroughly deserved points against a good team – but the frustrating part is that it’s too little, too late,” he said.

“I know that was something my players have been capable of from Christmas onwards. I know hindsight is a wonderful thing but you can’t help thinking back to certain games, remembering when the ball was blazing across the goal and nobody could get quite get a touch..

“We had the chances to win but didn’t take them and that’s why we’re going to fall just short come 5pm on Saturday.

“Perhaps we played well against Arlesey because the players didn’t have that pressure on their shoulders. That’s the name of the game, but they’re a young group and I still don’t think that they totally understand the situation that we got ourselves into.”

Farmer insists he will be fully focused tomorrow – “we’ll treat the game properly; I’ll tell the lads to go out and express themselves, put on a performance for the fans” – but will take a breather before turning his thoughts to next term.

“We’ll have a beer after the game and then probably leave it a week before sitting down with the board and discuss my future.

“I came here two summers ago and I’ve had a promotion and a relegation and at 32 I think it’s great for my learning curve as a manager, experiencing the highs and lows at a good level so early in my career.

“You’re always learning, whether you’re a player or a manager, and you’re always trying to make sure that you get it right next time.

“What I will say is that I went to the barber’s on Wednesday and I’ve never seen so many grey hairs!”